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SNAP OUT OF IT! DON’T GO DOWN WITH THAT DEPRESSION

Depression is more than just a low mood – it’s a serious mental health condition. More often than not, it could come with bouts of depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration. Women are about twice as likely as men to get depression. Most people are over 20 years old when they have depression for the first time.

Stressful life events play a part in the onset or relapse of depression. Ongoing conflicts with others can take their toll on our well-being, as can other social and environmental stressors such as financial difficulties, retirement, unemployment, childbirth, loneliness, or loss of someone or something important. In vulnerable people, these unpleasant life events may be enough to cause or worsen a depressive illness.

A person’s personality characteristics are an important factor. When people are depressed, they usually have a very negative view of themselves and the world. They do not appreciate good things, and bad things seem overwhelming. Some people have a tendency to view things this way even when they are not depressed. In other words, they may have a depressive personality style.

A key thing to spot when people undergo depression is inactivity. People find that they are doing less and then feel even worse because they are doing less. Behavioural strategies for depression aim to identify and change aspects of behaviour that may worsen depression. People are encouraged to act against the depression by increasing activities, even though this is the last thing that they feel like doing. Relevant behavioural strategies include activity scheduling, social skills training, structured problem solving, and goal planning.

People who are depressed will usually show a style of thinking that focuses on negative views of the world. They often think of themselves as worthless and of the world as being a bad or unfair place, and they are without hope that their lives will improve in the future. The truth is that the world can’t better if we are short of an awesome person like you.

Accept only good vibes, live your best life, rid your mind of negative thoughts and if you need to talk to someone, see a therapist. It does not make you less a human being, it means you are intentional about being in the right frame of mind.